Rie Makita, a Japanese citizen, has been a researcher or consultant for a number of studies conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japan Bank for International Development and various Japanese ministries. Her policy research and advisory work has focused on rural development and sustainable livelihoods in Asia and Africa, including Bangladesh. She received an MPS in agriculture from Cornell University and a PhD in Geographical Science from the Australian National University. Dr. Makita is currently a visiting research fellow in the Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies at the University of Wollongong, Australia.